Gameweek 30 Preview

Can they do it?  Can Leicester really be champions?  Can Spurs really be champions?  Can Arsenal really be champions?!  To be honest, as a Liverpool supporter, I couldn’t care less but I am interested in the fixtures for this week as all these 3 are playing – but half my team aren’t!

I have to confess to a severe lack of forward planning this week – as I used my free transfer at 11.29 last Saturday (GW29) to draft Lallana in for Shaqiri (I’d planned for Firmino, but was £0.1m short)  – without thinking ahead to Liverpool not having a game this week, but Stoke have… and Lallana was a dreary 2 points to add insult to injury.

This has forced my hand regarding my free transfer this week, as I was reduced to only 1 ‘playing’ defender, 3 midfielders and 3 strikers.  I figured that a midfielder has a greater chance to hit more points, and didn’t want to impact my current defensive roster as I’m relatively happy with it…. so in comes Gylfi Sigurdsson!  I am a big fan of Sigurdsson, and started the season with him in my team, but took him out when the Swans started diving – but he’s hit a good run of form, and as a dead ball specialist, I’m hoping for at least an assist from him this week.  Here’s my team for Gameweek 30:

I have decided against drafting a ‘playing’ defender in this week, as it would be a 4 point hit and for that, they’d need to at least keep a clean sheet – which this season is not very easy to predict!  Anyway, here’s my view on the fixtures this week, and some key players that may have an impact:

Norwich

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Man City

Although Norwich have only been defeated by the odd goal in their last 3 games, they are going down.  City put 4 past another relegation cert, Villa, last week and Aguero inspired City to a 3-0 victory against the Canaries in their FA cup meeting in January.  Aguero will be my Captain this week, and I’m expecting at least a 2 goal haul!  Redmond is Norwich’s only likely source of inspiration and looked lively last week against Swansea – but other than a potential Ruddy penalty save, points for Norwich players will be low this week.  Score Prediction 0-3

Bournemouth

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Swansea

Bournemouth have been in good form of late, but so have Swansea with both teams seeking their 3rd win on the bounce.  Bournemouth certainly have more firepower than Swansea, and I’m expecting a home win – with Sigurdsson (hopefully) getting a consolation for the visitors.  Joshua King at £4.3m represents good value for a cheap midfielder, as he tends to play up front and got 13 points last week with a goal, an assist and an MOTM performance.  Max Gradel is a bit more expensive but was great against Newcastle last week so don’t be surprised if he pops up with a goal or assist. Score Prediction 2-1

Stoke

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Southampton

Neither of these teams are are the most prolific scorers, and both are very sound defensively.  I think this one will be 0-0 or 1-1, so either Butland or Forster would be a good goalkeeping choice this week.  One guy to keep an eye out for, is Imbula for Stoke – he’s averaging 4 points a game in his first 5 games, and has only been selected by 0.2% of managers… perhaps a good transfer in if you’re in a tight league?  Score Prediction 0-0

Aston Villa

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Spurs

To be honest, it’s difficult to see Villa getting any more points this season!  I’ve got Alli, Alderweireld and Kane in my team and I’m expecting a 20 point haul from those 3.  If Aguero wasn’t against Norwich, Kane would defo be my Captain this week – so if you don’t have Aguero in your team, you know what to do!  If you’re one of the few without a Spurs defender, Danny Rose is doubtful for this week, and Ben Davies is a steal at £4.1m as a natural replacment… Eric Wimmer also looks great value at £4.6m, as he seems to have cemented his place alongside Alderweireld at centre back.  Score Prediction 0-3

Leicester

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Newcastle

Lots on uncertainty around Steve McClaren this week which won’t help his sides preparation for this game, but they may be encouraged by the likely return of Papiss Cisse who’s been out since November.  I am expecting a tight game, as Newcastle are a good side when they are organised, and Leicester may start to tie up with the pressure and drop points during the run in, but I don’t think they’ll drop points today.  Vardy is due a goal, Mahrez is likely to assist but you’ve probably got both in your team’s already!  I like Ayoze Perez from Newcastle, but think he’ll be worth having in next season (if they stay up) and if Andros Townsend is fit and back in the Newcastle team, they might do something – but unlikely.  Score Prediction 2-1

All the best for the week. #fantasypremierscout